West Ham United are in active negotiations to sign Viking winger Edvin Austbo for a fee in the region of £18 million. The club, which faces a home fixture against Wolves on Tuesday, September 1st, is pushing to strengthen its attack before the transfer deadline, according to a report from The New York Times.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has identified the 21-year-old Norwegian as a key target to bolster his forward options. Austbo, who plays for the reigning Norwegian champions, was named the Eliteserien young player of the year in 2025. Since his debut in 2022, he has made 71 appearances for Viking, scoring 15 goals, and is a current Norway under-21 international.
Who is Edvin Austbo?
Edvin Austbo is a 21-year-old winger who has developed into one of the brightest talents in Norwegian football. His performances for Viking, where he broke through in 2022, earned him the league's young player of the year award last season. His record of 15 goals from the wing for the champions demonstrates a consistent threat. This form has now attracted serious interest from West Ham as they look to add dynamism to a squad that has drawn two of its opening three Championship matches.
What other business are West Ham pursuing?
West Ham's search for wide players is not limited to Austbo. The club has also submitted a £12 million offer for 19-year-old Mikel Gogorza of Danish side Midtjylland. Gogorza, a left-sided winger and Denmark U19 international, made his senior debut in the 2023-24 season. Last term, he registered 3 assists and scored 6 goals across 36 appearances, bringing his total for Midtjylland to 9 goals in 67 games. Pursuing two young wingers signals a clear intent from Nuno to refresh his attacking resources ahead of a busy period you can track on our fixtures page.
Where would the new signings fit in the squad?
Nuno Espirito Santo's current attacking options include Jarrod Bowen, summer signing Manor Solomon, Keiber Lamadrid, and academy prospect Joshua Ajala. The pursuit of both Austbo and Gogorza suggests a desire for more depth and competition in wide areas. The need for fresh impetus is underlined by the team's start to the season, having taken just 2 points from their first 3 league games, including a 1-1 draw at Watford on Saturday. The manager is keen to add players who can provide immediate impact as the Championship schedule intensifies.
What happens next for West Ham?
The immediate focus is on securing at least one of these targets before Tuesday's transfer deadline. Success in these negotiations could provide a timely boost ahead of the Wolves match. The club's activity in the market is a direct response to the early-season form, which shows the team is still waiting for its first win. Integrating a new attacking player would be a priority, with the aim of turning draws into victories and climbing the standings. The final days of the window will be decisive for West Ham's squad building this summer.
